European cooperation for the next generation
How can young people be trained for a career in neurotechnology? How can international study programs, research partnerships and career paths in Europe be dovetailed even more closely with one another? And how can collaboration be strengthened in teaching, learning, research and transfer? These questions were at the heart of the 11th General Assembly of NeurotechEU at Stockholm’s Karolinska Institutet in mid-May 2026. Entitled “Next Generation – Skills, Talent, Careers & Innovation,” it brought together researchers, students, innovators and partners from across the Europe-wide NeurotechEU network.
Diverse delegation represents University of Bonn
The University of Bonn was represented by a delegation that highlighted the University of Excellence’s impressive breadth, with students, research associates, technical and administrative staff, professors and members of the Rectorate all taking part in the consultations and workshops. By sending not one but two members of the Rectorate—Vice Rectors Professor Ilona Grunwald Kadow (Research and Career Development) and Professor Birgit Ulrike Münch (International Affairs)—the University of Bonn underscored the strategic importance of NeurotechEU for its own international network.
Students’ views placed front and center
The views of students were given particular weight in Stockholm, and several members of the NeurotechEU Student Council from Bonn contributed their experiences and expectations to the debate during the General Assembly. This was especially important, because many of the items on the agenda had the next generation in mind: Alongside scientific symposia for the researchers, the program also included training sessions for students as well as boot camps on data analysis, coding and neuroscientific methods that were attended by a further eight University of Bonn students in total. The aim is to make student involvement an integral part of the alliance over the long term and align international learning pathways more closely with students’ needs.
Fresh impetus for teaching and learning
Some important groundwork was also laid for teaching and learning. Parallel working groups explored topics such as joint study and mobility formats, Blended Intensive Programmes, Seasonal Schools, teacher training, internships and the continued development of a European bachelor’s and master’s degree in Neurotechnology. This shows how NeurotechEU is increasingly being transformed from a simple networking concept into dedicated programs for students, teachers and researchers.
A joined-up approach to research, innovation and transfer
The accompanying Neuroinnovation Summit offered researchers a varied program of keynote speeches, panels and workshops. Topics covered included career paths in academia, the use of neurotechnology in healthcare, innovative imaging techniques, AI-supported decision-making processes and ways to turn research findings into practical applications and start-ups. This made it clear how much of a joined-up approach NeurotechEU is taking to research, training, innovation and benefit to society.
Preparing the ground for the final period of the funding phase
As far as the University of Bonn is concerned, the General Assembly marks an important step into the crucial final phase of the current funding period. The alliance has produced some valuable results in its work to date, creating new international learning spaces, giving students and early-career researchers sound prospects on the European stage, strengthening joint research and transfer activities, and bringing the partner universities closer together at every level.
